UW-Madison Names Three Chancellor Finalists
A special regent committee has narrowed the search for a new UW-Madison chancellor to three candidates, each scheduled to appear at a public forum.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
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A UW-Madison special regent committee announced three finalists for chancellor on Thursday, filling the vacancy left by Jennifer Mnookin. The finalists are Dr. Rashid Bashir, Dr. John Coleman and Dr. Radenka Maric.
Why it matters
The finalists will be vetted by the campus community before a decision is made, shaping who leads one of the state's largest public universities. Mnookin departed after four years to become president of Columbia University, leaving the flagship campus without a permanent leader.
The committee narrowed its search to three finalists, each appearing at a one-hour public forum held Monday, Thursday and Friday. Feedback on the candidates may be submitted until 10:30 a.m. on November 14, and the timeline for a final decision was not stated.
The players
Dr. Rashid Bashir
Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of three finalists for UW-Madison chancellor.
Dr. John Coleman
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of three finalists for UW-Madison chancellor.
Dr. Radenka Maric
President and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor at the University of Connecticut, one of three finalists for UW-Madison chancellor.
Jennifer Mnookin
Former UW-Madison chancellor who left after four years to become president of Columbia University.
The details
The finalists are Dr. Rashid Bashir, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Dr. John Coleman, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Illinois; and Dr. Radenka Maric, President and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor at the University of Connecticut. After the forums, each finalist will interview with UW-Madison students, staff, deans and other partners.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Committee announces three finalists
Monday, November 9, 2026, 4:30-5:30 p.m.: First public forum in Tripp Commons
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Second public forum in Tripp Commons
Friday, November 13, 2026, 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Third public forum in Tripp Commons
November 14, 2026, 10:30 a.m.: Deadline for candidate feedback
Leadership Transition
The search follows the four-year tenure of Jennifer Mnookin, who left UW-Madison to lead Columbia University. The finalist slate now begins the next chapter of campus leadership at the flagship institution.
Madison residents and campus community members can attend the forums in Tripp Commons or submit feedback on each candidate before November 14. The chancellor selected will guide the university's academic and financial direction.
The takeaway
Community members who want input can attend one of the three public forums or submit written feedback on each finalist before 10:30 a.m. on November 14. Early engagement gives the committee a clearer picture of campus priorities before its decision.
What happens next
Public forums are scheduled November 9, 12 and 13, 2026, with candidate feedback accepted through 10:30 a.m. on November 14, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage to see how leadership transitions shape Madison institutions.
More information
Read the full report on the UW-Madison chancellor finalist announcement.
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Should public universities prioritize hiring leaders from within their own state?
